With new wisps, bangs, cowlicks, and an ever-changing length, growing out a pixie cut can be a major hair challenge. We talked to pro hairstylists to find out how to grow out a pixie in style. Read on for 10 tips to keep your hair looking great at every stage of the grow-out.
1. Prevention Control
Minimize the odds of having a bad hair day in the first place. All it takes are a few products and a little forethought. “Use a moisturizing oil to add some shine, then comb your hair in the direction you want it to go and let it dry naturally without touching it,” says Suave celebrity hairstylist Marcus Francis. “Don’t overthink it.” If you usually have a more textured look, Francis recommends using a volumizing mousse like Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse, which gives hair fullness and structure, and then twisting it into random sections to dry. Let it air-dry and, when it’s nearly there, shake it out.
2. Fight Frizz and Add Texture with Hair Oil
"Rough cuticles and flyaways are often the reason hair doesn’t look quite right after it air-dries," says Marcus. Use a moisturizing oil to manage your growing strands and some shine. After applying the oil, comb your hair in the direction you want it to go and let it dry naturally without touching it,” Marcus says. "Don’t overthink it."
If you usually have a more textured look, Marcus recommends using a volumizing mousse like Moroccanoil Volumizing Mousse, which gives hair fullness and structure, and then twisting it into random sections to dry. Let it air-dry and, when it’s nearly there, shake it out.
3. Water is Your Friend
Taking a second shower — while giving your hair another chance to dry right — is probably not an option in the morning, Plus, washing your hair too much can be damaging. Instead, just re-wet it. “Fill a spritzer bottle with water and spray evenly to get hair wet but not soaked,” says Marcus. “Apply a sea salt spray generously throughout damp hair and let it air dry-for a loose, textured look — no heat or re-washing necessary!” A good one to try: Shu Uemura Depsea Foundation Daily Stle Refresher.
4. Comb Cowlicks Into Submission
Instead of raking your hands through your hair in an attempt to put that weird cowlick out of its misery, use a comb. “Combsprovide better tension and control than simply using your hands,” says Kevin Baker, a barber (who cuts women’s hair, too) at Fellow Barber in NYC. “With it, it’s easier to coax hair and roots in the direction you want.”
5. Make Use of Weather-Proofing Cream
Come sleet or rain in all of its frizzy glory, prepping your growing hair before you go outside is key to keeping a good hair day from going downhill. Your best bet, says Francis, is a two-pronged approach: a weather-proofing cream like Suave Professionals Luxe Style Infusion Smoothing Light Weight Weather Proof Cream and an anti-humidity spray such as Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray. First, run a dime-sized amount of the weather-proofer through hair while it’s still damp. After your hair dries, mist the anti-humidity spray all over to lock the style in place and prevent flyaways. Marcus says taking both these steps should keep you frizz-free for up to 72 hours — despite what’s happening outside.
6. Add in Layers
You don't want to cut off the bottom of your hair if you're growing it out (obviously), but adding in layers can make the transition easier. To get more natural movement and add life to your hair, talk to your stylist about layering. Layers allow for natural movement and flow, making them more forgiving and easier to style even when they’re growing out, says Marcus.
7. Bobby Pins Can Make All the Difference
While it might take someone with long hair hours to pull off a classy up-do, you can do it minutes. Twist your hair into small sections and secure them with bobby pins and tiny clips to create an overall style. Tease the hair slightly as you pin it to create volume and
8. Rock Scarves and Headbands
An obvious, but nevertheless genius, solution to tricky short hair days is to throw on a headband or scarf. You'll get a pulled-together look that gets your bangs out of your face (no product required!).
9. Use Dry Shampoo to Create Volume
Sometimes it's harder to style freshly shampooed hair than it is to whip slightly oily hair into submission. Skip the traditional shampoo and reach for dry shampoo. Give yourself a few good sprays, than tousle your hair with your fingers. Your hair will come to life with volume and you'll find it stays put once you brushed it into your desired direction. Dry shampoo is also a great starting point for for bouffant and faux hawk styles.
10. Slick It Back
Short hair can look really good slicked back in a way that long hair just can't. Take advantage of your length! Start by spritzing your hair with water, then grab the hair gel and comb it through. The style will stay put all day.
Growing Out a Pixie Cut: One Girl's Story
Want to hear what's it like to grow out a pixie cut from someone who's been there? Jillian Meehan knows what it like. After years of sporting a pixie, she decided it was time to get her length back. Here's her story, in her own words:
The summer after I graduated from high school, I wanted to become a new person. I was finishing one chapter of my life and beginning the next, and I wanted a new hairstyle to reflect that milestone. I cut all my hair off and became “the girl with the pixie cut.” I was in love with my new persona; I felt cuter, more sophisticated and more confident than ever.
